# NTSB ANC92LA143: Piper PA-12, N7887H, Harding Lake, AK, August 24, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1992, 17:05 local (Aug 24, 1992, 01:05 UTC)
- Place: Harding Lake, AK
- Coordinates: 64.81047, -147.719482 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8105&lon=-147.7195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5789
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5789/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA143

## Probable cause

THE PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED CAUSES, AND THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT JUST AFTER TAKING OFF HE EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE SUBSEQUENT OFF AIRPORT FORCED LANDING RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRPLANE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE ENGINE OPERATED NORMALLY WITH NO PROBLEMS NOTED THAT WERE CONSIDERED CAUSAL TO THE POWER LOSS. POST ACCIDENT ANALYSIS OF THE FUEL DRAINED FROM THE AIRPLANE INDICATED THAT IT WAS BLENDED WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUEL. THE ENGINE WAS NOT APPROVED FOR THE USE OF AUTOMOTIVE FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7887H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7887H-2013-07-08), registration cancelled 2013-07-08, S/N 12-791, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-791
- Airframe hours: 2649
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stepovich, Christopher A.
- Registered owner: Stepovich, Christopher A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1992, 20 hours before
- Destination: FAIRBANKS, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial, airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 8,350 total, 1,005 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920823035719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920823035719A), Aug 23, 1992: Piper PA12, Harding Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Unable to climb after lake takeoff. Witness reported 3 persons baby and dog on board. Identification was removed.

## Other investigations on N7887H (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB UNK64X2831](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2831), Jul 14, 1964: Piper PA12 (N7887H), Berger, MO, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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